Monday, April 7, 2014

General Robert E. Lee to General Samuel Cooper, February 4, 1865

HEADQUARTERS, PETERSBURG, February 4, 1865.
GEN. S. COOPER,
A. and I. General, Richmond, Va.

GENERAL: I received your telegram of the 1st inst. announcing my confirmation by the Senate as general-in-chief of the armies of the Confederate States. I am indebted alone to the kindness of his Excellency the President for my nomination to this high and arduous office, and I wish I had the ability to fill it to advantage. As I have received no instructions as to my duties, I do not know what he desires me to undertake.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
General.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 351

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